World No. 1’s march into semi finals

Chong Wei applied pressure at the net from the outset, forcing Momota, the 2012 World Junior Champion, into a number of unusual errors. Chong Wei continued to dominate the talented youngster, winning the first game 21-14. It was much of the same in Game 2 where Momota had no answer to Chong Wei’s powerful attacks and masterful defence. The World No. 1 took the second game 21-18 and moves into the semi finals.

In the last match of the day, the World No. 1 pairing faced Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan of China. Despite having to save two game points in the first, Ahsan and Setiawan produced an array of clever, powerful and lightning quick shots to ease into a lead. The pair continued to demonstrate why they are at the top of the world rankings, as the Chinese duo had no response to their impeccable drive shots. Ahsan and Setiawan eventually ran out winners 23-21, 22-20, and now move into the weekend matches.

Japanese players battle through to next round

It was a good day for Japan as a number of stars made their way through to the semi finals.

In the Men’s Doubles Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa faced the Indonesian pairing of Angga Pratama and Ryan Agung Saputra. Pratama and Saputra, who are renowned for their speed in attack, were cheered on by a large Indonesian contingent in the crowd. It was Endo and Hayakawa though who started well, playing aggressively to take a close first game 22-20. The Japanese pair were put on the back foot in Game 2 as Pratama and Saputra upped the pace. A lively second game eventually ended 21 -15.

The deciding game was as close as the first, however it was Endo and Hayakawa who seized the advantage and took the initiative. The Japanese duo unleashed a series of rapid-fire shots, which put the pressure on their opponents, forcing them into a number of mistakes. Endo and Hayakawa took full advantage to take final game 21-19.

Women’s Doubles pair Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo had to dig deep in their match against Pia Zebadiah and Rizki Amelia. The three game match took 1 hour 25 minutes to complete and was a real test of will and stamina. Takahashi and Matsutomo showed their trademark tenacity, eventually grinding Zebadiah and Amelia down to win 16-21, 21-9, 21-18.